In the Northeastern US, most suggest using at least a 4-6 inch base of crushed stone, and even up to 7 inches is recommended due to harsh winter weather. For brick pavers, this means that you'll need to dig to about 9\" depth, since the pavers are 2 inches in height. Since this is a lot of digging, it may be one of the primary reasons to hire a landscape company.

Shade protection given by patio awnings and shade sails keeps the sun-lover safe from painful overexposure to the sun. They can also reduce glare, and can be found in colors to suit any existing color scheme. Article written by Steve-Boulden from The Landscape Design Site which offers free landscaping ideas, patio design ideas, garden plans, pictures, and advice. For more ideas visit his site.

Classic pergolas and arches are very effective objects to use if you want to add an inviting feel to your garden and preserve the shade. Pergolas are made with a flatted top with a shape that is vertical to straight sides and can be small to cover up a walkway or large enough to cover a patio or deck area. On the other hand, the arches are generally used as fence gate or over walkways.